Applying for a balloon pilot licence

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Requirements

To apply for a BPL you must meet the following requirements:

• You are at least 16 years old. To fly balloons commercially you must be at least 18 years old.
• You are medically fit.
• You have completed a BPL training course at an approved training organisation (ATO) or declared training organisation (DTO).
• During the training, you have received at least 16 hours of flight instruction in the same class or group of balloons, including:
  • 12 hours of dual flight instruction.
  • 10 inflations and 20 take-offs and landings.
  • A solo flight under supervision of at least 30 minutes.

Required attachments

You must upload several attachments with your online application. To apply for a BPL, you will need:

• A copy of your passport or other valid form of identification from a European Union (EU) Member State or Liechtenstein, Norway or Iceland.
• A copy of your Class 2 medical certificate.
• A copy of your BPL theory exam results.
• Proof of BPL training course completion:
  • If you completed the training course in the Netherlands, a copy of the Course Completion Certificate (CCC) from the training organisation.
  • If you completed the training course in another EASA Member State, a copy of the Certificate of Recognition (CoR) from the training organisation.
• A copy of the BPL practical exam with the corresponding Flight Test Schedule (FTS).
• Copies of the last 3 pages of your logbook, signed by you on the left and right pages. To demonstrate specific experience requirements, such as an overland flight or solo flight time, please send the relevant pages from your logbook.

How to apply

Please note: gather all attachments before completing the online form.

Apply for a first issue of a pilot licence using the online form Application for a pilot licence for aeroplanes (A), helicopters (H), balloons (B) and gyroplanes (GS). In the form, select: First issue of a pilot licence.

Please note: you must enter your name and place of birth exactly as shown in your passport or other valid form of identification.

Costs

The first issue of a BPL costs €655. This amount is legally determined in the Regeling tarieven transportsectoren (Transportation Sectors Tariffs Scheme, in Dutch). You do not have to pay VAT on this amount. 

Please note: If your employer is covering the costs you can indicate this during the application process. Please request authorisation from your employer for this and upload the completed and signed authorisation form as an attachment to your application.

After submitting your application

1. You will receive an automatic email confirming that CAA NL has received your application.
2. You will receive a payment request by email. Please pay within 4 weeks of the date on the payment request.
3. If any information is missing, CAA NL will ask you to provide additional details.
4. Once your application is complete and the fee has been paid, CAA NL will begin processing your application.
5. CAA NL will take approximately 25 working days to process your application.
6. You will receive the decision by email, along with an acknowledgement of payment for your records. If your application is approved, you will receive your licence.

Validity

A BPL licence and ratings are valid indefinitely, however you must continue to meet the recency requirements.